A MOVIE filmed in Salford by staff and graduates of the University of Salford is set to make its debut at the Salford Film Festival.

Lookin’ For Lucky, which was filmed in the Frederick Road area of Charlestown, tells the story of the intertwining lives of people on the Paradise Heights Estate and how they come together following a deal gone bad by a local gangster.

Over the space of two hours the main characters – Moses the gangster, Chalkie his artist brother, and other people from the estate – are all caught up in the consequences of Moses’ failed deal as events conspire against them.

Producer and director Chris Leonard teaches at Salford, while writer and co-producer Joe O’Byrne and 18 other cast members have studied at the University’s School of Media, Music and Performance.

The film was produced by Albino Injun Productions and filming took place in various locations in Bolton and Salford. The crew and cast were keen to make sure that the local community were involved as much as possible in all aspects of the production.

Chris said: "We made sure we were in the areas we wanted to film days before we started talking to local people and listening to their comments.

"There was a lot of interest in the project – our casting session in a local pub attracted over 70 people and there were loads more walking around as background extras. We even got local kids to shout ‘cut’ and ‘action’ during filming."

The film will now make its debut at the Vue Cinema in Salford at 9pm on Wednesday, November 19 as part of the annual Salford Film Festival and Chris is delighted that film makers and actors in the city are to be a part of it.

He said: "There’s so much creativity in Salford, and the university is an important part of developing that. With the coming of MediaCity:UK, having a forum to showcase this talent is really important. I’m glad our film has been chosen to be part of that."

The film festival runs from Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, November 23.

Councillor John Merry, leader of Salford City Council, said: "It is magnificent that this great event has reached its fifth year. The success of the festival merely highlights the continued talent that is being nurtured within the city through community initiatives, media courses and training, giving more people the chance to get out there and have a go at film making."

For more information on Salford Film Festival and Lookin’ For Lucky go to: http://www.salfordfilmfestival.org.uk/whatson/lookinforlucky

Tweet